Humidifier



G. A. HENDEY HUMIDIFIER Aug. 20, 1940.

Filed Feb. 9, 1939 .millllll Patented Aug. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HUMIDIFIER George Allen Hendey, Rome, N. Y. Application February 9, 1939, Serial No. 255,554

Thisinvention relates to humidifiers and more particularly. to a new and improved humidifier construction. a

One object of the invention is to provide a sim- 5 ple type of humidifier construction which may be readily applied to an existing pipe system. An-

other object is to provide a. humidifier which may readily utilize the well known Mason jar. Other objects include the provision of transparent humidifier means so that the need for liquid in v the reservoir may be readily ascertained; the use of a strip of flexible material which may be readily secured to air ducts of varying contour; the use of a metal strip having an outwardly extending screw-threaded flange to which a Mason jar may be secured; and the combination of the strip and air duct so organized that apertures in the air duct and in the strip may be normally aligned, and may also be moved relative to each other so as to close the air duct when the humidifier is either not in use or is being refilled. Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear more distinctly from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a device embodying features of the invention applied to one of the out-going ducts of a warm air furnace system;

Figure '2 is an enlarged detail cross section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the device arranged for attachment to an angularly or vertically extending pipe; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged section view of the arrangement in Figure 3.

Considering the drawing in greater detail, a partial section of a customary warm air furnace is illustrated at 10, having the outer metal shell I2 with a fire box door 14 for inspection of the fire, and for supplying fuel in some instances. One of the outgoing warm air ducts 16 extends upwardly and to the right as viewed in Figures 1 and 3. This duct is normally covered with insulation l8, and is provided with an aperture 20, as viewed in Figures 2 or 4, by means of which the humidifier can be applied to the pipe system.

A flexible metal strip 22 is provided with an aperture 24 surrounding which is provided a screw-threaded annular flange 26. Although this flange is shown as being a portion of a cup-shaped member riveted to the flexible strip 22 as at the point 28, it will be readily understood that the invention also contemplates'the formation of this as to the amount of liquid in the jar.

flange as an integral partof the flexible member, if desired- Y In Figures 3 pand4, the screw-threaded flange 26 is integral with or riveted to an elbow 21 at the point. 29.- The elbow in turn is arranged for rotary motion with respect to the opening 24, and by means of this motion and the ability to slide. the member 22 about a pipe, the jar 30 has a universal motion with respect to the pipe I6. The elbow has an annular flange 3| engaging the in- 10 side of the strip 22, and is deformed outwardly at 33 to give a tight though rotatable joint. As a consequence of this arrangement, the device can be attached to pipes extending in any direction and the reservoir will always be vertical. 5

A standard Mason jar 30 is arranged to serve as a liquid reservoir containing a body of liquid 32. In normal use, this body of liquid will be water for ordinary humidification purposes. The

flange 26, and may abut against the cup portion 3t, giving a tight joint.

The flexible strip is placed around the air duct, which in this case is shown to be of cylindrical form and secured thereto by one or more 25 straps 38 and 40 which are preferably of metal. As seen in Figure 2, the adjacent ends 42 and 44 of the strap pass through a perforated connector 46, and are bentback on themselves to hold the humidifier in position. 30

It will be readily appreciated that the lass Mason jar at all times provides a ready indication As soon as the level of liquid drops to a low pointnthe jar can be unscrewed and refilled, after which it is 35 threaded into the flange 26. During seasons of the year when the humidifier is not in use, it may be detached from the metal member 22, and the latter member may be moved around the pipe so that the apertures 20 and 24 pass out of align- 40 ment and the aperture 20 is closed by means of a portion of theplate 22. This may also be done at such times when the jar is being refilled. The strip is preferably of flexible material to conform to the contour of an air duct and 45 is preferably made of flexible metal.

tour of the duct, a liquid reservoir, means attachtour of the duct, a liquid reservoir attached to the sheet, a passage from the reservoir to and through the sheet, means adjustably attaching the sheet to the duct with the passages of the duct and reservoir selectively in alignment, or out of alignment with the sheet closing the passage into the duct.

2. The combination of a duct and a humidifle comprising a passage into the side of the duct, a sheet flexible to conform with the surface coning the reservoir to the duct, a passage from the reservoir to and through the attaching means, means to adjust the position of the attaching means to selectively place the reservoir and duct passages in alignment, or out of alignment with the duct passage closed.

3. The combination of a duct and a humidifier, comprising a passage into the side of the duct, a sheet flexible to conform with the surface contour of the duct, a transparent liquid reservoir attached to the sheet, a passage from the reservoir to and through the sheet, means adjustably attaching the sheet to the duct with the passages of the duct and reservoir selectively in alignment,

or out of alignment with the sheet closing the passage into the duct.

4. The combination of a duct and a humidifier, comprising a passage into the side of the duct, a sheet flexible to conform with the surface contour of the duct, a conventional liquid reservoir, an attachment on the sheet formed to accommodate the reservoir, a passage from the reservoir through the attachment to and. through the sheet, means adjustably attaching the sheet to the duct with the passages of the duct and reservoir selectively in alignment, or out of alignment with the sheet closing the passage into the duct.

5. The combination of a hot air furnace duct and a humidifier, comprising a passage into the side of the duct, a sheet flexible to conform with the surface contour of the duct, a liquid reservoir adjustable to vary the position of the reservoir relative to the sheet, a passage from the reservoir to and through the sheet, means adjustably attaching the sheet to the duct with the passages of the duct and reservoir selectively in alignment, or out of alignment with the sheet closing the passage into the duct.

GEORGE ALLEN HENDEY. 

